Polish-Ukrainian commission on trade, economic cooperation set to meet on March 11 - Ukrainian PM

MOSCOW. March 4 (Interfax) - A meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation has been scheduled for March 11, Ukrainian media cited Ukraine's Prime Minister Denis Shmygal as saying at a press conference in Kiev on Monday.

"Of course, depending on the situation on the border, depending on the escalation on the border, we will make a decision as to how, when and in what format to hold these intergovernmental consultations. If we have a crisis, will we be able to calmly discuss other issues, discuss any prospects, if the situation on the border is yet to be resolved?," Shmygal said.

He thanked the Polish government, police and local authorities for their efforts to ensure that the situation on the border remains under control and the protests are held in a peaceful manner.

Acts of vandalism in relation to Ukrainian grain are being investigated and legal proceedings have already been launched, Shmygal said.

"I am confident that those responsible will be brought to justice. I am confident that treating Ukrainian grain, treating Ukrainian carriers in such a way is not the position of Polish farmers, is not the position of Polish society," he said.

Efforts are continuing within the European Commission's Coordination Council to sort out the situation on the border with Ukraine, Shmygal said, adding that Ukraine has already submitted proposals and is ready for concessions on items such as sugar and chicken meat.

"We have presented our proposals. We stand ready to even make progress and agree to a certain voluntary easing with regard to sugar and chicken meat. We are ready to consider that [...] we have forwarded these proposals to Brussels," Shmygal said.

Negotiations are also continuing with the European Commission to amend the 29th section of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to reinforce and, in particular, extend duty-free trade with Ukraine, he said.

Shmygal said he is confident that Ukraine and Poland will find a solution to the crisis. Hopefully, the upcoming local elections and the next European Parliament elections, in which Poland will also participate, will not become the reason for continuing the border blockade until June, he said.